Rendell Spokesman Ardo To Retire.

After seven years of fielding questions from
reporters from Pennsylvania and beyond, Gov. Ed Rendell’s spokesman Chuck
Ardo says he intends to leave the administration..

Ardo, 62, of suburban Harrisburg,
said this afternoon that the job of explaining the deep cuts included in
Rendell’s proposed $28.8 billion 2009-2010 state budget had gotten to him.

"Because I'm tired," he said. "Because I'm tired of spending all day, every day for the last 90 days, explaining to people what we're going to take away from them," he said. "It's physically and emotionally draining."

Ardo said he informed Rendell’s office of his decision on
Thursday. He became the administration's chief spokesman in 2007, replacing former press secretary Kate Philips.

Rendell has proposed reducing spending
across state government, and says his plan could result in lay-offs for
hundreds of state employees as the administration struggles to close a $3.25
billion deficit and shore up a shaky bottom line.

“It’s just emotionally draining,” Ardo said. “I’ve just run
out of juice.”

Today marks the 24th straight day that Pennsylvania has gone
without a new state spending plan. The new fiscal year began on July 1 and
lawmakers and the Democratic administration are deep into a debate over whether
the state’s path back to fiscal stability lies in expanded programs and tax
increases or in deep cuts to government programs.

Ardo, an Ohio native, said he and wife, Nancy, also want to spend more time with his
11-year-old grandson, who is moving in with the couple this week.

“I want to spend more time with my family,” he said. “It’s a
demanding job.”

It was not immediately clear when Ardo intends to formally
step down. He said he will stay on until a successor is named.